Looking to add some scientific fun into your week? How about discovering physical science concepts like motion and forces, gravity, and friction! A great way to do that is by exploring “things that go” ⎯ like cars, planes, trains and rockets. We can see how things move and how different conditions affect the speed of those objects.
Try some hands-on investigations and experiments, play games, watch videos, and read up on the science behind motion and transportation below!
Then, next week, go on an adventure to learn about things that move with The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! and Ready Jet Go! on PBS Kids 24/7. And keep the playing and learning going with Learn Along Bingo.
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Exploring science through motion & transportation
Word of the Week: Journey Words | Dot’s Spot
Grades PreK-2
The word of the week is transportation! Introduce your little learners to different modes of transportation with this video from the Dot’s Spot Collection on PBS LearningMedia.
Using Science to Explore Space with Ready Jet Go!
Grades 1-3
Encourage kids to use science to learn about their place on (and off!) the planet with these tips from astronaut Dr. Amy Mainzer.
Flight | Science Trek
Grades 4-6
This video segment from IdahoPTV’s Science Trek takes you on a flight with a young student and a pilot as you learn about the 4 aerodynamic forces which are present when air is moving past an object such as an airplane ⎯ weight, lift, drag and thrust.
The Rocket – NASA is Born | Space Chase USA
Grades 4-12
The Wright Brothers introduced the world to flight, but do your kids know how NASA came to be? Find out in this video from PBS station WUCF and PBS LearningMedia.
Activities, games & more
Friction Racing
Grades PreK-1
Your child can build a ramp and then use a toy car to test which two surfaces has the least amount of friction in this DIY activity.
Ready Jet Go! | Rover Maker Game
PreK-2
Hop in and game on with Jet and his friends by designing and building rovers built to handle a series of challenging terrains and environmental conditions with this Rover Maker game.
12 Picture Books About Things That Go!
Grades PreK-3
There’s something captivating about transportation and vehicles — in real life but also in children’s books. There are hundreds and hundreds of books about things that go, but here are some favorites that you won’t want to miss.
Martha Speaks | Getting to the Game Interactive Story
Grades K-5
In this Martha Speaks interactive story, your child can follow along as Martha reads about different ways to travel and learn about how different forms of transportation work. As you pedal a bike, gears rotate the wheels and make you go further, other vehicles are even solar powered!
Explore Gravity and Friction With Marble Runs
Grades 1-3
The motion of marbles as they roll down ramps is a great way to learn about the pushes and pulls that cause objects to move. In this activity, you’ll create different tracks for a marble as you and your child experiment with the forces of friction and gravity!
Lift and Drag Interactive
Grades 6-12
This interactive activity from NOVA allows you to explore the important forces of lift and drag and how they affect everything from airplanes to wind turbines.
Learn Along Bingo
With Learn Along Bingo, children can view, explore, and play as they learn alongside their PBS Kids friends on the PBS Kids 24/7 channel. We hope your family will use it to inspire learning each and every day.
Next week, we’re learning about how force and motion helps us to see how things move and how different conditions affect the speed of objects.
Grades PreK-K
Tune in: Watch The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 1st.
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
Grades 1-2
Tune in: Watch Ready Jet Go! at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, December 1st.
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Cars, Planes, & Trains: Learning From Things That Go Collection on PBS Kids for Parents.